Empowerment
An (Aro)Ace in the Hole
Sex and romance have always been touchy subjects for me. That is not to say I'm the type to run screaming from the room when a kissing scene appears on TV or to gag at a picture of genitals in health class. While I've never minded approaching either subject from an intellectual standpoint, I can't relate from an emotional standpoint, and the thought of actively participating in either makes me uncomfortable. I view sex and romance the way some people view skydiving, fun in theory but not in practice.
By Morgan Rhianna Blandabout a year ago in Pride
Representative literature
Author: Dream Books Sanjeevi Discovering The Namesake mirrored my immigrant struggles, affirming my cultural identity and transforming feelings of alienation into pride, ultimately shaping my self-acceptance and love for diverse narratives in literature.
By Sanjeevi Kandasamyabout a year ago in Pride
And just like that, I felt seen
Santana was hot, she was quick with her slick tongue (and ponytail), and I absolutely loved her voice. Before her, there was the DVD of Set it Off starring Queen Latifah (my all time crush). And throughout my entire journey of realizing I was relating a little too hard and loving way too much of the gay character for this to just be some awesome allyship…there was a looooot of white gay characters that somewhat fit me, but not quite. Wait, I’m getting ahead of myself.
By Jay,when I writeabout a year ago in Pride
A Candle in the Darkness
As a child, I did not possess the knowledge and vocabulary around social structures I have today but I was able to perceive differences in treatment, consideration and respect. Children can tell who belongs to the “in crowd” and who stays out. The signs are clear as day and the messaging is constant. Early on, I integrated the notion that certain people were celebrated and others were not. A specific few were even despised and erased whenever possible—that is, when they were not ridiculed.
By Lily Séjorabout a year ago in Pride
Accurate Representation. Runner-up in Represented Challenge.
I remember sitting in my parents’ living room when I was in my early teen years. I don’t remember the age, but it was around that time in my life. I was watching an MTV show about HIV. In the show, two men kissed and hugged and held hands. That was the first time in my life I pondered my sexuality. It brought me peace, that other people can love openly and without shame. Seeing physical affection between two men on a tv screen made me realize that is what I wanted.
By J. Delaney-Howeabout a year ago in Pride
